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Assembly urges president to restore U.S. Forest Service staffing and funding
Summary
The Assembly adopted AJR 10 calling on the U.S. president to reverse cuts to the U.S. Forest Service. Lawmakers across the aisle endorsed the resolution; debate focused on federal responsibility, forest management and prescribed fire. The measure passed 67-0.
The California State Assembly on April 28 approved Assembly Joint Resolution 10 urging the president to restore staffing and funding for the U.S. Forest Service and to maintain federal support for wildfire prevention and forest management.
Assemblymember James Rogers, the resolution's author, said the cuts were threatening public safety and local economies and called for restoring federal resources. “AJR 10 calls on the president of The United States to reverse his cuts to the US Forest Service,” Rogers said on the floor.
Speakers from both parties supported the resolution but used the debate to emphasize different priorities. Supporters including Assemblymembers Bennett, Harbidian, Hart and Schiavo stressed the need for full staffing, restoration work and funding for wildfire mitigation in California's national forests. Minority Leader Gallagher and other members argued that improved forest management, including prescribed burns and responsible timber practices, must accompany funding to reduce fuels and fire risk. Several members also noted recent federal grants and specific prescribed‑burn operations in their districts.
Before the final vote the Assembly added coauthors; Clerk announcements recorded 64 coauthors added. The final roll call on AJR 10 was I 67, No 0; the resolution was adopted.
The resolution requests federal action and is nonbinding; members said it aims to send a bipartisan message to the administration and Congress while also calling attention to state and local forest management needs.
